Phlox plant named ‘Balkapowibi’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phlox  plant named ‘Balkapowibi’, characterized by its medium red-purple and white bicolored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit, is disclosed.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Phlox paniculata.

Variety denomination: ‘Balkapowibi’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phloxplant botanically known as Phlox paniculata and hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name ‘Balkapowibi’.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Hem, theNetherlands during August 2013. The objective of the breeding programwas the development of Phlox cultivars with attractive flowercoloration, increased powdery mildew resistance and a compact growthhabit.

The new Phlox cultivar is the result of open-pollination within aninsect-cage environment. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar isthe proprietary Phlox paniculata breeding selection coded D05/VG16, notpatented, characterized by its medium red-purple colored flowers, mediumgreen-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-upright growthhabit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is one of fourproprietary Phlox paniculata breeding selections, not coded, notpatented, characterized by having different shades of red-purple andwhite bicolored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderatelyvigorous, highly-branched, upright growth habit. The new cultivar wasdiscovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progenyof the above stated open-pollination during July 2014 in a controlledenvironment in Hem, the Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings sinceJuly 2014 in Hem, the Netherlands and Elburn, Ill. has demonstrated thatthe new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of thecharacteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘Balkapowibi’ as a new anddistinct cultivar of Phlox plant:

-   -   1. Medium red-purple and white bicolored flowers;    -   2. Medium green-colored foliage; and    -   3. Moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parentprimarily in having a different flower color and increased branching.Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the potential maleparents primarily in having a different shade of red-purple flowercolor.

Of the many commercially available Phlox cultivars, the most similar incomparison to the new cultivar is Flame White Eye ‘Barsixty’, U.S. PlantPat. No. 22,211. However, in side by side comparisons, plants of the newcultivar differ from plants of ‘Barsixty’ in at least the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar have a flower color that is        slightly more purple than plants of ‘Barsixty’;    -   2. Plants of the new cultivar have smaller diameter flowers than        plants of ‘Barsixty’; and    -   3. Plants of the new cultivar are shorter than plants of        ‘Barsixty’.

In addition plants of the new cultivar are similar in comparison to‘Cherry Cream’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29/910. However, in side by sidecomparisons, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘CherryCream’ in at least the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar have a flower color that is        slightly more purple than plants of ‘Cherry Cream’;    -   2. Plants of the new cultivar have smaller diameter flowers than        plants of ‘Cherry Cream’; and    -   3. Plants of the new cultivar are shorter than plants of ‘Cherry        Cream’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typicalflower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in thephotographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detaileddescription, which accurately describes the colors of ‘Balkapowibi’. Theplants were approximately four months old. The plants were grown inone-gallon containers for approximately 12 weeks in a greenhouse inElburn, Ill. Plants were given two pinches, one at one week beforetransplant and one two weeks after transplant.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habitof ‘Balkapowibi’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual inflorescence of‘Balkapowibi’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is TheRHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significanceare used. The color values were determined in June 2018 under naturallight conditions in West Chicago, Ill.

The following descriptions and measurements describe approximatelyfour-month old plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and grownunder conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. Theplants were grown in one-gallon containers for approximately 12 weeks ina greenhouse in Elburn, Ill. Plants were given two pinches, one at oneweek before transplant and one two weeks after transplant. Greenhousetemperatures were maintained at approximately 65° F. to 70° F. (18.3° C.to 21.1° C.) during the day and approximately 55° F. to 60° F. (12.8° C.to 15.6° C.) during the night. No supplemental lighting was provided.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants.

-   Botanical classification: Phlox paniculata ‘Balkapowibi’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary Phlox paniculata breeding            selection coded D05/VG16, not patented.        -   Male parent.—One of four proprietary Phlox paniculata            breeding selections, not coded, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 10 to 12 days.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 42 to 49            days.        -   Root description.—Fine to medium thickness, medium density.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching, medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Commercial crop time.—Approximately 10 to 12 weeks from a            rooted cutting to finish in a 15 cm pot.        -   Growth habit and general appearance.—Herbaceous perennial,            moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 4b (−25° F. to −25° F./−20° C. to            −28.9° C.).        -   Size.—Height: Approximately 18.0 cm. Width: Approximately            28.0 cm.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, pinching will improve            branching.        -   Branch.—Quantity: Approximately 4 basal branches. Shape:            Round. Strength: Strong. Length to base of inflorescence:            Approximately 11.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately 3.0 mm.            Length of central internode: Approximately 7.0 mm. Texture:            Glabrous. Color of young stems: 146C. Color of mature stems:            146C, becoming woody 199C with age.-   Foliage description:    -   -   General Description.—Quantity of leaves per main branch:            Approximately 16. Fragrance: None detected. Form: Simple.            Arrangement: Opposite.        -   Leaves.—Shape: Elliptic, slightly carinate. Margin: Entire,            minutely ciliate. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate. Venation            pattern: Pinnate. Length: Approximately 5.2 cm. Width:            Approximately 2.0 cm. Texture of upper surface: Sparsely            pubescent. Texture of lower surface: Glabrous. Color of            upper surface of young and mature foliage: Closest to 137A            with venation of 145C. Color of lower surface of young and            mature foliage: Closest to 191A with venation of 145D.        -   Petioles.—Length: Approximately 2.0 mm. Width: Approximately            3.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 145C.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Flowering habit.—‘Balkapowibi’ is freely flowering under            outdoor growing conditions with substantially continuous            blooming from late spring throughout summer.        -   Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.—Approximately            10 days.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   General description.—Type: Compound terminal panicle,            flowers face upright and outwardly, self-cleaning. Quantity            per plant: Approximately 4. Fragrance: Moderately sweet and            pleasant. Height of primary: Approximately 5.5 cm. Width of            primary: Approximately 8.5 cm. Quantity of fully open            flowers per primary inflorescence: Approximately 23. Height            of secondary: Approximately 3.5 cm. Width of secondary:            7.0 cm. Quantity of fully open flowers per secondary            inflorescence: Approximately 9.        -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Aspect: Primary erect, axillary            acute angle to stem. Length of primary: Approximately            3.0 cm. Diameter of primary: Approximately 3.0 mm. Length of            axillary: Approximately 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm. Diameter of            axillary: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent.            Color: 146C.-   Flower description:    -   -   Type.—Single.        -   Bud.—Rate of opening: Generally takes 3 to 4 days for bud to            progress from first color to fully open flower.        -   Bud just before opening.—Shape: Oblanceolate. Length:            Approximately 1.8 cm. Diameter: Approximately 4.0 mm. Color:            145C with streaks of 83B and petal portion of NN155A tinted            with 83C.        -   Corolla.—Shape: Salverform. Diameter: Approximately 2.4 cm.            Depth: Approximately 2.1 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity: 5 in a single whorl, base fused into a            narrow tube. Lobe shape: Obovate. Margin: Entire. Apex:            Obtuse. Lobe length: Approximately 1.0 cm. Lobe width:            Approximately 1.1 cm. Texture of upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous. Color of upper surface when first and            fully open: NN155D with base of NN78A tinted with 83B. Color            of lower surface when first and fully open: NN155D with a            faint tint of NN78A and 83C at base.        -   Corolla tube.—Length: Approximately 2.0 cm. Diameter at            distal end: Approximately 3.0 mm. Diameter at proximal end:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture of outer surface: Moderately            pubescent. Texture of inner surface: Smooth, glabrous with            lower 5.0 mm densely pubescent. Color of inner surface:            NN78A at throat opening transitioning through 83C to base of            145D. Color of outer surface: 83C with streaks of and lower            half of 145D.        -   Calyx.—Shape: Cupped. Length: Approximately 6.0 mm.            Diameter: Approximately 3.0 mm.        -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: 5, lower half fused. Shape:            Lanceolate. Apex: Narrowly apiculate. Length: Approximately            6.0 mm. Width: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture of outer            surface: Sparsely pubescent. Texture of inner surface:            Smooth, glabrous. Color of inner surface: 146C. Color of            outer surface: 146D to 146B with tip and faint central            streak of N186A.        -   Pedicel.—Strength: Strong, flexible. Aspect: Primary erect,            axillary acute angle to peduncle. Length: Approximately            4.0 mm. Diameter: Approximately 1.0 mm. Texture: Densely            pubescent. Color: 146C.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen quantity: 5 per            flower, adnate to corolla tube. Stamen length: Approximately            1.5 cm. Filament length of free portion: Approximately            1.0 mm. Anther shape: Sagittate. Anther length:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Anther color: 158B. Pollen amount:            Abundant. Pollen color: 155D. Gynoecium: Pistil quantity: 1            per flower. Pistil length: Approximately 8.0 mm. Stigma            shape: Cleft, three-parted. Stigma color: 145B. Style            length: Approximately 6.0 mm. Style color: 145B. Ovary            length: Approximately 2.0 mm. Ovary color: 144A.-   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has    been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Increased resistance to powdery mildew    has been observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named‘Balkapowibi’, substantially as herein illustrated and described.